ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Mumbai-Goa highway to be completed in one year: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister inaugurates three national highway projects worth Rs 131.87 crore in Raigad and performs bhumi-poojan of road projects worth Rs 430 crore today
Mumbai, 3 April 2022
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has stated that the work on Mumbai-Goa highway will be completed within the next one year. Gadkari was speaking at the inauguration of three national highway projects worth Rs 131.87 crore in Raigad district and a ground-breaking ceremony for 42 km of roads worth Rs 430 crore, held today.
The work on Mumbai-Goa highway is underway in eleven phases. He said the initial work was delayed due to land acquisition and obtaining permissions from railways and forest department. “Mumbai-Goa is the heartbeat of this region. So we will definitely complete this work within a year. This highway now exists not only Mumbai-Goa, but it has been extended to Mangalore. If government land becomes available on the Mumbai-Goa Highway, we will do our utmost to help set up a logistics park and truck terminal”, stated the Union Minister on the occasion.
Regarding the employment opportunities for the youth of Konkan region, Shri Gadkari said, “In the last seven years, JNPT has done development work worth Rs one lakh crore. The Special Economic Zone  was launched in JNPT in 2016 at a cost of Rs 570 crore. It now has 24 companies operating from there. An investment of Rs 60,000 crore will come soon through this channel. This will provide employment to 1.5 lakh youth in Konkan”.
Maharashtra, especially the Konkan, has a rich heritage of forts, stated the Union Minister. “Therefore, we will fulfil all the proposals for ropeways in the state regarding forts”, said Shri Gadkari. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has Austrian Duffelware technology available for ropeways, which can be used in the state, he said. He also suggested arranging light and sound shows at all the forts to attract more tourists.
Gadkari was speaking at the inauguration of three national highway projects worth Rs 131.87 crore in Raigad district and a ground-breaking ceremony for 42 km of roads worth Rs 430 crore, held today.
The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of three national highway projects worth Rs 131.87 crore in Raigad district and a ground-breaking ceremony for 42 km of roads worth Rs 430 crore, held in Raigad today.
As a part of this development, Harihareshwar Temple, Diveghar Golden Temple, Murud-Janjira Fort, Padmadurga Fort, Shrivardhan and Diveghar beaches have good road connectivity now. The highway caters to transportation of heavy vehicles to Dighi Port, provides the connectivity for areas of the tourism industry in the vicinity around the Konkan belt in Raigad and is also the only one road connecting existing NH-66 Mumbai-Goa Highway to Dighi Port.
The Union Minister’s speech on the occasion can be accessed here:PIB Mumbai | DJM/SC/D.Rane
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Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Ministry of DoNER would provide Rs.25 crores to North Eastern States for gap funding to fight the COVID-19 outbreak effectively: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Union Minister of State  Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Dr Jitendra Singh held a detailed review meeting by Video Conference, while adhering to all the guidelines of social distancing, with the Officers of Ministry of DoNER and North Eastern Council  in view of outbreak of COVID 19 pandemic and measures being taken to fight the same in the NE Region.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Ministry of DoNER, Addl Secy MDoNER, Secretary NEC and other senior officers of MDoNER and NEC. At the outset Dr. Jitendra Singh was informed that 100% work of the Ministry was on e-Office, making it easier to comply with the directions of government to work from home mode.
The Minister stated that designated cargo flights for carrying essential commodities to North East have been planned. Secretary, NEC may obtain the feedback regarding supply of essential commodities in North Eastern States and the same may be brought to the notice of Ministry, so that the matter may be taken with appropriate Central Ministries.
It was decided that Ministry/NEC would provide Rs.25 crores to North Eastern States for gap funding to fight the COVID-19 outbreak effectively. This fund would be in the nature of untied fund, which can be utilized on any activity relating to COVID-19 Pandemic, and not covered under existing central packages. The flexibility of untied funds would enable the states to respond quickly. This fund would be in addition to the funds otherwise allocated by the Ministry of DoNER/NEC to the North Eastern States under the existing schemes.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the demise of Brazilian football legend, Pele
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the demise of Brazilian football legend, Pele. PM Modi said that the passing away of Pelé leaves an irreplaceable void in the world of sports.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"The passing away of Pelé leaves an irreplaceable void in the world of sports. A global football superstar, his popularity transcends boundaries. His outstanding sporting performances and success will keep inspiring the coming generations. Condolences to his family and fans. RIP."
UPSC
Recruitment Results Finalized By UPSC in May, 2022
The following Recruitment Results have been finalized by the Union Public Service Commission during the month of May, 2022. The recommended candidates have been informed individually by post.
Click here to see the link
Ministry of Women and Child Development
PM CARES Comes to help for those children who lost their parents in pandemic MoS V. Muraleedharan distributed benefits in Thiruvananthapuram
Minister of State for External Affairs Shri. V. Muraleedharan today distributed the benefits under PM Cares for Children to eligible children in Thiruvananthapuram district at a function held at the Civil Station, 11 children from the district who lost their parents in the Covid epidemic received benefits from the MoS. Eight of them are under 18 years of age. A letter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message, a pass book of a PM Cares account for financial benefits, a health card to ensure health care and free treatment and educational benefits were distributed to the children . A total of 112 children from Kerala are receiving the assistance. District Collector Smt. Navjot Singh Khosa was present on the occasion.
Ministry of Defence
Press Release: The Delhi Horse Show 2019
The Delhi Horse Show has been in existence since the early part of 20th century. Pre independence, it was the most important equestrian event which attracted all equine enthusiasts to descend to Delhi from all parts of the Country. After Independence, the tradition continued and it remained India’s premier Horse Show. It was discontinued for few years since 1979 and was revived in 1986 under the aegis of the President’s Estate Polo Club and now the show is conducted by the Army Polo & Riding Centre at the Army Equestrian Centre, New Delhi.
The Delhi Horse Show is the largest, most prestigious and popular Horse Show in the Country. The Horse Show has been promoting the equestrian sport to the utmost level in the nation. This show will be having events ranging from the more serious Dressage and Show Jumping events for India’s top riders to fun gymkhana events for little tots and teenagers. The participants range from 03 years age to India’s top senior riders. The participation in the Horse Show has increased as the interest and following of the sport has increased in the country after the Indian Event Team’ won 2 Silver Medals at the recently concluded Asian Games at Jakarta.
Over 400 horses and 500 competitors will be participating in the Show. Competitors are grouped in four categories – senior, young rider, junior and children. Participating teams and contingents include those from the Army , paramilitary , police forces, riding clubs , institutes ,schools & colleges to compete and witness the events. The ten days Delhi Horse Show will culminate on 07 April 2019 . It will be conducted early in the morning and late in the evening.
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Ministry of Defence
IN-USN SALVAGE AND EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL EXERCISE - SALVEX
The Seventh edition of Indian Navy – US Navy  Salvage and Explosive Ordnance Disposal  exercise, SALVEX was conducted from 26 Jun – 06 Jul 23 at Kochi. IN and USN have been participating in joint Salvage and EOD exercises since 2005. The exercise saw participation from both the navies which included the ships – INS Nireekshak and USNS Salvor in addition to Specialist Diving and EOD teams.
Spanning over 10 days, the Diving teams of both the countries shared experiences on Maritime Salvage and trained together in various facets of EOD Operations on land as well at sea. SALVEX also saw conduct of joint training exercises towards enhancing interoperability, cohesiveness and gaining from best practices mutually in Maritime Salvage and EOD operations.
The constructive engagements on operational terms enhanced the skill-sets of the Diving teams in a number of diverse disciplines such as mine detection and neutralisation, wreck location and salvage.
Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation
Misleading reports about Swachh Bharat progress
Studies need to keep pace with latest sanitation data
Certain media reports have come to the notice of the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, quoting a survey report titled TAG  Report 2018. These reports are completely misleading with respect to their claims in relation to the Swachh Bharat Mission. The reported survey claims that around 40 per cent of teenage girls in the country still have to practice open defecation.
The media reports, however, do not mention the most important fact, i.e. the field survey was conducted in 2016-17. This leads to the factually incorrect and misleading conclusion that the survey was conducted recently and its findings reflect the current sanitation situation on the ground. By using data from 2016-17 to question the success of the SBM today, the reports undermine the efforts and achievements of the people of India.
This error takes a serious dimension in the context of rural sanitation which has shown an unprecedented rise under the Swachh Bharat Mission. The fact that a basic detail like the period during which the field survey was carried out has not been distinctly mentioned in the report makes it misleading with respect to reporting on the progress of sanitation in today’s context.
The rural sanitation coverage under SBM has catapulted from 39% in October 2014 to over 95% today. The rapid pace of progress under the SBM means that performance data as measured by studies and surveys may become outdated within months. At the mid-point of the field survey period, i.e. January 2017, the sanitation coverage in rural India was below 60%, which is broadly consistent with the findings of the survey for that period – a fact that is not highlighted in the report itself.
The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, therefore, underlines that the SBM is an extremely dynamic programme with rapidly accelerating progress. Researchers and authors are advised to exercise abundant caution before passing judgements on the success of the programme based on outdated data. They are also advised to clearly mention the period of the field survey and the statistical significance of any study that they quote so that their readers are not mislead. In case of any doubts, they may contact this Ministry for the latest facts and progress figures pertaining to the Mission. Various media are also similarly advised.
Rural India has built over 8.7 crore toilets in their homes and over 5 lakh villages, 530 districts and 25 States/Union Territories have declared themselves free from the malaise of open defecation, as of October 2018.
Ministry of Education
Advisory of HRD Ministry
The Ministry of Human Resource and Development wishes to inform the general public that it has come to the notice of Ministry of HRD that one entity operating in the name of “Board of Higher Secondary Education, Delhi” is claiming to be a recognised Board of Education by this Ministry vide letter No. 1812/2009/SKT-1 dated 29/06/2009 and D.O. letter No. 3-5/2013/Sch.3 dated the 26th April, 2013. On scrutiny of the relevant records of this Ministry, it has been found that no such letters have ever been issued by this Ministry in favour of so called Board of Higher Secondary Education, Delhi. Both these letters are, therefore, completely forged and fabricated. Further, it is abundantly clarified that No letters, whatsoever, have ever been issued by this Ministry recognising the said entity i.e. Board of Higher Secondary Education, Delhi.
The said entity i.e. Board of Higher Secondary Education, Delhi stands dissolved w.e.f. 01.07.1962 vide Directorate of Education Delhi Administration Resolution’s No. F.32/62-Edn. dated 30.06.1962. Therefore, if any other document is/are produced by the Board of Higher Secondary Education, Delhi in relation to its recognition, then the same may be deemed to be fake and the veracity of the documents may first be got confirmed from the concerned organisation/Ministry.
The General Public, all students, their parents and all other stakeholders are, therefore, advised to take note of the above facts and act accordingly.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Pedestrian Safety on National Highways
Construction and maintenance of National Highways is carried out as per relevant Indian Roads Congress  Codes/manuals, Ministry’s guidelines, relevant international codes and good industry practices. Ministry is according high priority to road safety especially to the safety of pedestrians. IRC-103: 2022 captioned “Guidelines for Pedestrians Facilities” stipulates various provisions of pedestrian facilities like raised footpaths, pedestrian guard rails, central median railings etc. IRC SP- 56: 2011 captioned “Guidelines for Steel Pedestrian Bridges” gives various guidelines on Steel Pedestrian foot over bridges. IRC 99 : 2018 captioned “Guidelines for traffic calming measures in urban and rural areas” stipulates various traffic calming measures including raised pedestrian crossings, rumble strips etc. Apart from this, Ministry issues circulars on various safety aspects including pedestrian safety, for example, Ministry’s circular dated 17-06-2015. These circulars and IRC codes are followed in the design and construction of National Highways based on the traffic levels within the available land and other constraints.
Foot over bridges & underpass are generally constructed as part of the Highway Development projects and are sanctioned in some cases as stand-alone foot over bridge projects & underpass. Funds for development of National Highways are allocated state-wise and not project wise. The details of foot over bridges & underpass sanctioned during the last two years and the current year, State/UT wise including those in the State of Haryana are at Annexure I.
Details of foot over bridges/under passes on National Highways proposed/under construction in the Parliamentary Constituency of Sirsa since 2019 are at Annexure II.
ANNEXURE -I
ANNEXURE “PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS”
|
|
State
|
|
FOBs
|
|
Underpasses
|
|
Nos.
|
|
Amount Sanctioned 
|
|
Nos.
|
|
Amount Sanctioned 
|
|
Haryana
|
|
8
|
|
8.2
|
|
7
|
|
110
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1
|
|
28.67
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
1
|
|
1.32
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
Punjab
|
|
15
|
|
13.50
|
|
5
|
|
26
|
|
Tamilnadu
|
|
3
|
|
5.52
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
Telengana
|
|
5
|
|
17.36
|
|
1
|
|
21.16
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1
|
|
28.69
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1
|
|
14.58
ANNEXURE -II
ANNEXURE “PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS”
|
|
S.No
|
|
Constituency
|
|
FOBs proposed/under construction since 2019
|
|
Underpasses proposed/under construction since 2019
|
|
Nos.
|
|
Amount Sanctioned
|
|
Nos.
|
|
Amount Sanctioned Rs. In Cr.
|
|
1
|
|
Sirsa Constituency
Haryana
|
|
Nil
|
|
Nil
|
|
5 no. on Hisar Dabawali section of NH-9, District Fatehbad:
Kharakheri Village, Badopal Village, Dhangar Village, Hanspur Village, Dariyapur Village
|
|
93
This information was given by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 219.04 Cr
Over 4.10 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 27,374
1,957 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.75%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 1.21%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 219.04 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 4.10 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10415272
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10119562
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
7044623
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18436952
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17717768
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13692661
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
41083298
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
31943005
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
61966450
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
53171570
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
561337661
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
516006441
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
98062486
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
204038542
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
197013462
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
49728065
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127674684
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
123176836
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
47846882
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
21,63,74,717
|
|
Total
|
|
2,19,04,76,220
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 27,374. Active cases now constitute 0.06% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.75%. 2,654 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,40,60,198.
1,957 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 2,76,125 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 89.73 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 1.21% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 0.71%.
Ministry of Defence
MODERNISATION OF ARMED FORCES
Modernisation of Defence Armed Forces involves the acquisition of platforms, technologies and weapon systems to upgrade and augment Defence capabilities and is a continuous process based on threat perception, operational necessities and technological changes to keep the Armed Forces in a state of readiness to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges. Government attaches highest priority to ensure that the Armed Forces are sufficiently equipped to meet any operational requirement, which is achieved through induction of new equipment and technological upgradation of capabilities.
The equipment requirements of the Armed Forces are planned and progressed through a detailed process which includes Ten Years Integrated Capability Development Plan, Five Years Defence Capability Acquisition Plan  and Annual Acquisition Plan  and deliberations by the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by the Raksha Mantri.
To enhance the strategic capabilities and develop advanced technology/products the following initiatives/policies have been taken/made by the Government:
- DRDO has established 05 DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories  to provide solutions in advanced technology areas viz artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cognitive technologies, asymmetric technologies and smart materials to tackle emerging challenges in military warfare.
- Announcement of 18 major defence platforms for industry led Design & Development in March 2022.
- Notification of three ‘Positive Indigenisation lists’ of total 310 items of services and two Positive Indigenisation lists of total 2958 items of DPSUs for which there would be an embargo on the import beyond the timelines indicated against them.
- Launch of innovations for Defence Excellence  scheme involving start-ups & Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises .
- Launch of an indigenisation portal namely SRIJAN to facilitate indigenisation by Indian industry including MSMEs.
- Opening up of Defence Research & Development  for industry, start-ups and academia with 25% of defence R&D budget earmarked to promote development of defence technology in the country.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Vk Sreekandan in Lok Sabha today.
ABB/Savvy
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Ministry of Finance
DRI seizes huge quantity of Foreign Brand Cigarettes worth Rs 33 crores
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence , Ahmedabad has seized a container load of foreign brand cigarettes  valued at Rs 33 crores  from Mundra Port on 19th October 2022. This is the second seizure of container load of Cigarettes within a week, the earlier also being of Manchester brand of Cigarrettes.
Intelligence was received by DRI that a container destined to Mundra Port contains foreign brand cigarettes in the guise of declared goods “Readymade Garments”. The container was identified and tracked. On 19.10.2022 examination of container led to recovery of 772 cartons of Manchester brand cigarettes having about 77,20,000 sticks; 328 cartons of Mac Ice brand cigarettes having about 32,80,000 sticks; and 50 cartons of Royal Red variant of Manchester brand cigarettes having about 5,00,000 sticks. All the cigarettes valuing approx. Rs 33 crore have been seized under the provisions of the Customs Act. Further investigation is under progress.
This is the fifth major seizure of cigarettes/e-cigarettes by DRI Ahmedabad in this financial year. The total value of the seizures has exceeded Rs 135 crores. In April 2022, foreign brand cigarettes valued at Rs 17 crores were seized. Two seizures of e-cigarettes valued at 68 crores were done in the month of September 2022. Earlier in this month, another container of foreign brand cigarettes worth Rs 17 crores was seized from Mundra port. These seizures are part of DRI operations to combat smuggling of cigarettes/e-cigarettes into the country.
YP/GP/JD
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